A novel herpesvirus in the sanctuary chimpanzees on Ngamba Island in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies in non-human primates have led to the discovery of novel primate herpesviruses. In order to get more information on herpesvirus infections in apes, we studied wild born captive chimpanzees. METHODS: Chimpanzees of the Ngamba island sanctuary, Uganda, were analyzed with pan-herpes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene and the glycoprotein B gene. The obtained sequences were connected by long-distance PCR, and analyzed phylogenetically. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 40 individuals were infected with members of the Gammaherpesvirinae, two of them with a novel member of this subfamily. Phylogenetically, the novel virus fell into a clade of primate rhadinoviruses and the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8), representing a third distinct rhadinovirus in chimpanzees. CONCLUSION: Non-human primates harbor several herpesviruses many of which are still unknown. This has implications to management of primates in sanctuaries requiring continuous updates on the management protocols to deal with potential occupational pathogens.

Evaluation of poliovirus antibody titers in orally vaccinated semi-captive chimpanzees in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: To understand immunological responses in chimpanzees vaccinated with live-attenuated vaccine (oral polio vaccine; OPV), serum neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were investigated over time. METHODS: The neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were determined by microneutralization test using 100 ID(50) of poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 (Sabin strains). RESULTS: Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were detected in 85.7%, 71.4%, and 65% of the serum from 42 chimpanzees tested 9 years post-vaccination. The neutralizing antibody titers in chimpanzees were similar to the documented levels in human studies as an indicator of vaccine efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals persistence of neutralizing antibodies in chimpanzees for at least 9 years after vaccination with OPV. This first study in chimpanzees provides useful information for the evaluation of the success of vaccination with OPV in other captive apes.

Characterisation of mycobacteria isolated from slaughter cattle in pastoral regions of Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic problem in pastoral cattle and communities in Uganda. Tuberculin tests in pastoral cattle had shown a high herd but low animal prevalence, with a high proportion of avian reactors. No work had been done to identify the mycobacterial species involved. The objective of the study was to isolate and characterise Mycobacterial species causing tuberculous lesions in slaughtered animals. Lesioned organs compatible with bovine tuberculosis in slaughtered cattle from pastoral areas in Uganda were collected and cultured to isolate mycobacteria. AccuProbe culture identification kits for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. avium complex and M. avium were used to identify the isolates. Spoligotyping and Insertion Sequence (IS) 1311 and IS1245 Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis (RFLP) were used to further characterise the isolates. RESULTS: Of the 61 lesioned organs and tissues cultured, 19 isolates were identified as M. bovis, 3 as M. avium subsp.hominissuis, 1 as M. intracellulare, 1 as a mixed culture of M. bovis and M. avium sp. and 1 as M. avium sp. and unidentified mycobacteria. Eleven other mycobacteria outside the tuberculosis and avium complex groups were also isolated. Ten new spoligopatterns grouped into three clusters were identified from M. bovis isolates. Two of the three M. avium subsp.hominissuis isolates showed similar patterns on the IS1311 RFLP but all were different on the IS1245 RFLP. CONCLUSION: The isolation of M. bovis confirms the ongoing infection with spoligotypes unique to Uganda. Isolation of environmental mycobacteria could explain the high avian or non specific tuberculin reactor patterns commonly observed in pastoral cattle and suggests their pathogenic or opportunistic role in the infection of cattle with disseminated bovine tuberculous lesions.

Risk factors for herd-level bovine-tuberculosis seropositivity in transhumant cattle in Uganda.

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors to positive herd-level tuberculin reactivity between October 2003 to May 2004 to bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in the four transhumant districts of Uganda: three districts (Karamoja region) of nomadic transhumance cattle rearing (30 superherds and 1522 cattle), and one district (Nakasongola) of fixed-transhumance (7 herds and 342 cattle). We used the comparative intradermal skin-test, sampled 50 animals per superherd/herd, and considered herd positive if there was at least one reactor. Of the 30 superherds under nomadic transhumance, 60% (95% CI 41.4, 79) were tuberculin-test positive; of the 7 fixed herds, 14.3% (95% CI -20.7, 49.2) were tuberculin test positive. The true herd prevalence was estimated at 46.6%. Many risk factors were collinear. The final multivariable logistic-regression model included: recent introductions from market (OR=3.4; 95% CI 1.1, 10.3), drinking water form mud holes during dry season (OR=49; 95% CI 9.1, 262), and the presence of monkeys (OR=0.08; 95% CI 0.0, 0.6) or warthogs (OR=0.1; 95% CI 0.0, 0.3). No association was found between herd size or number of herd contacts with reactors; it was probably masked by the effect of high between-herd interactions. Provision of water from mud holes in dry river beds and introductions of new animals are risk factors that might be targeted to control BTB in transhumance areas.

Measurement of Pasteurella haemolytica-specific lung and serum antibodies by ELISA.

The modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the relative quantities of class-specific antibodies to Pasteurella haemolytica. IgG1, IgG2 and IgA were present in significantly higher quantities in bronchoalveolar washings (BAW), but in decreasing quantities, respectively; IgM was present in very low amounts. IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 were present in serum, again in decreasing quantities, respectively. IgA antibody quantities were lowest in serum. The indirect antibody ELISA was found to be superior to the indirect bacterial agglutination (IBA) technique for determining antibody titres against P. haemolytica.

Susceptibility of Pasteurella haemolytica to the bactericidal effects of serum, nasal secretions and bronchoalveolar washings from cattle.

Several isolates of logarithmic-phase organisms of Pasteurella haemolytica were shown to be sensitive to an antibody and complement-mediated killing mechanism in adult bovine serum. Data suggested that the classical complement pathway was important in the induction of bactericidal activity of serum. Sera from calves after colostrum feedings (post-colostral sera) killed only 30% of the bacteria in spite of the presence of high levels of antibodies against P. haemolytica. Addition of post-colostral serum to heat-inactivated adult bovine serum decreased the bactericidal capacity of the latter. It was speculated that this inhibition may have been caused by the presence of blocking antibodies (IgA) found in the post-colostral serum. Undiluted nasal secretions collected from adult cattle were not bactericidal to P. haemolytica. The results also suggest that the bronchoalveolar washings (BAW) from vaccinated calves, in spite of having a high antibody titer, were less bactericidal to P. haemolytica than BAW from sham-vaccinated calves (71.12% vs. 83.12%). The bactericidal factor(s) present in BAW from sham-vaccinated calves was heat stable, not complement dependent, and was not related to lysozyme concentration.

Rinderpest vaccination responses among calves and adult cattle in Uganda monitored using ELISA assay.

Responses to the Plowright Rinderpest vaccine by 43 calves and 70 adult cattle in Uganda in 1990, through the production of IgG antibodies, were monitored for 4 weeks using the ELISA assay. 80% of the calves were seronegative before vaccination of which 32% remained seronegative and 68% subsequently seroconverted at 2 weeks postvaccination. 20% of the calves were seropositive before vaccination but registered a decline during the 2nd and 4th weeks postvaccination. 50% of adult Ankole cattle seroconverted after 3 weeks postvaccination, while the other 50% of them, which were seropositive before vaccination, showed a decline in seronegative levels during the first 2 weeks postvaccination, but increased again at the 4th week. 90% of Friesian adult cattle were seronegative before vaccination; however, they all seroconverted within the 2nd week of postvaccination. The other 10% remained seropositive, with a slight decline of antibody levels during the 4 weeks after vaccination.

Financial analysis of dipping strategies for indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda.

A financial analysis was performed to assess the performance of three acaricide-treatment groups of indigenous breeds (Zebu and Nganda) of cattle on a ranch in Luwero District, Uganda. The treatments were based on different frequencies: twice-a-week dipping, once-a-month dipping and no tick control. The objective was to evaluate the economic justification for intensive acaricide application for tick and tick-borne disease control in Uganda. Data were collected by monitoring cattle performance over a period of 34 months. Biological data collected included the number of cows at the beginning and end of the study, net starting liveweight, number of calves born, number of animals dying due to tick-borne diseases and other causes, number of animals sold or slaughtered and milk yield. Records of variable costs (acaricides, drugs, labour, etc.) and output prices were assembled and calculated by treatment group. Gross margin and marginal analysis were used in the financial analysis. The exchange rate in 1990-1993 was one US$ to 1200 Uganda shillings. The gross benefits obtained from animal sales, herd value and milk yield were Uganda shillings 1175, 1389 and 1311 per kg of net starting liveweight for animals dipped twice-a-week, once-a-month and not dipped, respectively. The variable costs were Ug. shs. 424, 390 and 360 per kg of net starting liveweight, respectively. Consequently, the gross margins were Ug. shs. 751, 999 and 951 per kg of net starting liveweight. Furthermore, the marginal rate of return (MRR) in changing from no tick control to once-a-month dipping was 160%, while changing from no tick control to twice-a-week dipping was negative (-313%). The above results showed that the value of increased gains in production obtained from twice-a-week dipping strategy does not offset the costs of inputs for intensive dipping. Once-a-month dipping (strategic) therefore appears to be the most-profitable tick-control strategy for the farmer. The need to conduct further studies in different livestock- production systems and to rationalise future tick control policies is discussed.

Risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in goat herds in eastern and western Uganda.

Cross-sectional prevalences and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in goats in eastern and western Uganda were investigated. Serum was collected from 1518 goats randomly selected from 145 herds which had been identified using multistage sampling. The brucellosis card test (CT) and the Brucella melitensis tube-agglutination test (TAT) were used in parallel to detect antibodies against B. abortus and B. melitensis, respectively. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on goat health and management. This information was used in multivariable logistic-regression models to determine the risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in goat herds. For each analysis, a herd was considered positive if at least one goat in the herd tested positive for antibodies against Brucella and negative if none was positive. Four percent (55/1480) of the goats screened with the CT had antibodies against Brucella. The reactors were distributed in 13% (19/145) of the herds. The most-important herd-level risk factors identified were use of a hired caretaker as the primary manager of the operation compared to owner/family members (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=8.1; 95% CI 1.6, 39.7), keeping sheep in addition to goats (OR=6.0; CI 1.5, 23.7) compared to having no sheep, and free browsing (OR=4.7; 95% CI 1.0, 20.7) when compared to tethering or zero-grazing. Using the TAT, 10% (141/1446) of the goats tested positive. The positives were distributed in 43% (63/145) of the herds. Free browsing (OR=6.7; 95% CI 2.7, 16.9) when compared to tethering or zero-grazing and lack of veterinary care (OR=2.9; CI 1.3, 6.7) were the most-important factors identified in the multivariable model for B. melitensis herd seropositivity. To explore/reduce the risk of misclassification in a secondary analysis, herds were reclassified as positive if at least one goat tested positive on both tests and negative if none of the goats was positive on any of the two tests. Using this classification, 2% (30/1320; 95% CI 2, 3%) of the goats tested positive resulting in 13% (12/93) of the herds being positive. The distribution of the above risk factors by brucellosis herd-status (as defined by the second criterion) is also presented.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Warburgia ugandensis, Ugandan medicinal plants.

Measles is a killer disease of children in Uganda. The treatment of the disease is mainly directed at the secondary microbial infections. A large proportion of the population in Uganda still relies on the use of herbal remedies, which have been claimed to produce beneficial responses. In this study, the efficacy of Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum against common bacteria and fungi was investigated. Bactericidal and antifungal assays were done using extracts derived from Z. chalybeum and W. ugandensis (agar well diffusion, disc diffusion and colony count assays). All extracts (ethanolic, petroleum ether and aqueous) of Z. chalybeum did not show antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigations of Zanthoxylum chalybeum (seed) yielded a pure crystalline alkaloid (27-135 D) which was characterized as skimianine based on (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and comparison with spectra of authentic samples. Skimmianine did not have antimicrobial activity in this test system. W. ugandensis water extracts elicited antibacterial activity against both Escherischia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the agar well assay but not in the disc diffusion assay. Warburgia ugandensis water extracts and fraction 27-163 D also showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Chromatography of extracts of Warburgia ugandensis stem bark afforded compound 49-169 K, which was characterized as the sesquiterpine muzigadial (by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy), which did not show antibacterial activity but had antifungal activity against C. albicans. Therefore, the claimed efficacy of W. ugandensis could be attributable to antibacterial and antifungal activity of its components. Since Z. chalybeum extracts had neither antifungal nor antibacterial activities, its mode of action is unclear from these results.

Bioassay-guided studies on the cytotoxic and in vitro trypanocidal activities of a sesquiterpene (Muzigadial) derived from a Ugandan medicinal plant (Warburgia ugandensis).

Trypanosomosis is arguably the most important disease of man and his domesticated animals in the tropics. There are few compounds available for its treatment. This has exacerbated the development of drug resistance. There is therefore urgent need to search for newer compounds to treat this important disease. Medicinal plants represent a potential source of the drugs. This paper reports a bioassay-guided study to search for possible biological activity (cytotoxic and trypanocidal) in two Ugandan medicinal plants. The methodology adopted was the so-called 'ping-pong' approach, involving phytochemical purification (column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography), alongside biological studies (cytotoxicity, antibacterial, trypanocidal and antifungal studies). Phytochemical investigations of Zanthoxylum chalybeum (seed) yielded a pure crystalline compound, 27-135D, which was characterized by 'HNMR as the alkaloid skimmianine. Studies on stem bark yielded three alkaloids 27-165A, 27-173A and 27-173B. All the above pure isolates, and the crude extracts of Z. chalybeum had neither biological activity nor cytotoxicity in the brine shrimp assay. A cytotoxic sesquiterpine, characterized as muzigadial, was isolated from W. ugandensis. It was highly toxic in the brine shrimp assay and also had in vitro trypanocidal activity against IL 3338 as well as IL1180; reference drug-resistant and drug-sensitive trypanosome strains respectively, comparable to diminazene aceturate and Geneticin (G418). Muzigadial also had antifungal activity against Candida albicans. It was concluded that the brine shrimp assay might be a useful predictor of trypanocidal activity of plant extracts and that muzigadial may be potentially valuable in the treatment of drug-resistant trypanosomosis.

Screening extracts of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Warburgia ugandensis for activity against measles virus (Swartz and Edmonston strains) in vitro.

A large proportion of the population in Uganda still relies on the use of plant extracts for treatment of various ailments. This study tested the claimed efficacy of some plants in the treatment of measles. In vitro antiviral assays were performed on extracts of two medicinal plants (Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum) using measles virus (Edmonston and Swartz strains) as the test organisms. The assays performed were the neutralisation tests and the plaque reduction assays. Of the two plants Z. chalybeum had demonstrable in vitro antiviral activity in the seed extracts (titer reduction factor [TRF]: 100, for the ethanolic extract). The in vitro antiviral activity of the seed extracts was demonstrated to be due to compound 27-135D (TRF=1000), which was characterized by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy as the alkaloid skimmianine. Skimmianine had minimal toxicity to VERO cell lines. The petroleum ether extracts and the ethanolic extracts of Warburgia ugandensis had no inhibitory effect on cytopathic effect (CPE) formation, especially at the maximal non-toxic dose (MNTD). The extracts of W. ugandensis were highly toxic to VERO cell lines. The TRF values for the stem bark extracts of W. ugandensis were: water extract, 10; ethanolic extract, 1; fraction 27-163D, 100., which were regarded to be too low. Seed extracts of Z.chalybeum therefore probably cure measles due to the antiviral effect of skimmianine. It is not clear how extracts of W. ugandensis produce a beneficial response in measles disease, if at all.

A cross-sectional study of bovine tuberculosis in the transhumant and agro-pastoral cattle herds in the border areas of Katakwi and Moroto districts, Uganda.

A study to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in the transhumant and agro-pastoral cattle herds in the border areas of Katakwi and Moroto districts in Uganda was carried out from July 2006 to January 2007 using comparative intradermal tuberculin test containing bovine and avian PPDs. A total of 1470 animals, 612 (41.6%) males and 858 (58.4%) females, 883 (60%) young, 555 (37.8%) adult and 32 (2.2%) old animals were included. The study involved a cross-sectional multistage sampling technique with random selection of individual animals from a herd. The results revealed a 1.3% overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle herds in the study area, with a marked variation between sub-counties. The highest recorded prevalence was 6.0% in Kapujan, while no cases were recorded in Ongogonja, Magoro and Katakwi sub-counties. Distinctly different patterns in the avian-bovine reactions were also found in different sub-counties. A multivariate logistic regression showed more positive reactions (OR = 6.3; 95%CI (1.4-26.34) in females than males. BTB prevalence did not differ significantly between cattle maintained in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems. The study demonstrated a relatively low prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in local zebu cattle reared under traditional husbandry systems in Uganda, suggesting low infectiousness of the disease under such mode of production. The risk associated with the consumption of raw milk among the pastoral communities and that, the pooling of milk together from different animals is a common practice, warrants more investigation into the zoonotic transmission of tuberculosis within these communities.

Mycobacteria causing human cervical lymphadenitis in pastoral communities in the Karamoja region of Uganda.

Mycobacteria from lymph node biopsies of patients with cervical lymphadenitis reporting for tuberculosis treatment in Matany and Moroto Hospitals in the transhumant areas of Karamoja, Uganda were isolated and characterized. The AccuProbe culture identification kits for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), M. avium complex (MAC) and M. avium were used to identify the isolates. Spoligotyping, IS901 PCR and IS1311 and IS1245 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to characterize the isolates. Of the 43 biopsies, ten M. avium, seven M. tuberculosis, three M. bovis, and two M. intracellulare were isolated. Two isolates could not be identified with AccuProbe and from 19 samples no mycobacteria could be isolated. Three isolates with the Beijing spoligotype were identified from the seven M. tuberculosis isolates. The spoligopatterns of the M. bovis isolates had previously been detected in cattle in Uganda. Isolation of members of the MAC group reflects the complex interaction between the transhumant communities, water sources and their cattle. None of the M. avium isolates harboured IS901, and all showed several bands on IS1311 and IS1245 RFLP, in accordance with M. avium subsp. hominissuis. Composite dendrograms of IS1311 and IS1245 RFLP showed that the isolates were similar and identical patterns were found. The isolation of M. bovis confirms the human infection with zoonotic mycobacteria in areas where consumption of raw milk and meat is routine. Isolation of environmental mycobacteria also confirms their increasing role in human disease and the occupational risk of infection in the transhumant ecosystem in the absence of safe drinking water and environmental contamination.

Responses to tuberculin among Zebu cattle in the transhumance regions of Karamoja and Nakasongola district of Uganda.

Responses to tuberculin in Zebu cattle of the transhumant pastoral farming system in Karamoja region and Nakasongola district in the north-eastern and mid-central regions in Uganda, respectively, were investigated using a comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test. Of the 1864 cattle tested from 30 large units (superherds) in Karamoja and 7 herds in Nakasongola, a total of 28 animals from 19 herds (51.4%) tested positive. Inter-district tuberculin reactor prevalence variations seemed to be influenced by climate, with impact on both the management patterns and transmissibility of agent. High herd tuberculin reactor prevalence (51.4%) was attributed to widespread contacts and mixing of animals between herds. Low individual animal tuberculin test positivity (mean = 1.4%) was attributed to low transmissibility of the agent under the Karamoja climate, which is semi-arid, and to increased resistance due to non-specific response to environmental mycobacteria and natural selection, since there was no active control against bovine tuberculosis. Owing to similarities in management practices in Karamoja and widespread risk factors, it was difficult to identify which were more important, but variations in sources of drinking water pointed to provision of lake and borehole water during dry season as reducing the risk. Positive bovine tuberculin reactor prevalence and skin reactor status were related to age.

Serum immunoglobulin responses among broiler chickens fed Ugandan commercial poultry feeds and vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

Responses to the La Sota strain Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine virus were monitored in 240 Ross breed broilers fed 4 Ugandan commercial feeds, Fs, F1, F2 and F3. The production of IgM, IgG and haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies, were monitored from day 28 of age for 4 weeks using the ELISA assay and HI-test. All broilers were sero-negative before vaccination. The Fs, F1, F2 and F3 feeds had metabolisable energy/crude protein ratios of 599, 870, 823 and 685 respectively, and had significant (P < 0.05) differences in the development of IgM, IgG and HI titres. Commercial feed FI reduced IgM (31.9%); IgG (30.9%) and HI (54.5%) titres. Commercial feed F2 reduced IgG (30.2%) and HI (36.4%) titres but did not affect IgM. Commercial feed F3 reduced IgG (16.3%) but affected neither IgM nor HI titres. Peak HI titres of F1 (2(2.5)) and F2 (2(3.5)) were below the HI titre (2(5.2)) that prevents 100% mortality due to virulent ND virus infection. Per cent loss of IgM titres in broilers that had sero-converted was 100% (F1), 25% (F2), 25% (F3) and 20% (Fs) by week 4. Per cent loss of IgG titre was 12.5% (F1), 16.7% (F2), 7.2% (F3) and 4% (Fs) by week 5. However, none of the feeds affected the time of attaining maximum sero-conversion at week 2 (IgM), week 3 (HI titres) and week 4 (IgG) in the flocks. The lack of standardisation of poultry feed quality in Uganda may be a shortcoming in successful protection of poultry by vaccination against ND.

The effect of oral administration of polyethylene glycol on faecal helminth egg counts in pregnant goats grazed on browse containing condensed tannins.

Thirty yearling F1 Anglo-Nubian x Mubende goats, averaging 21 +/- 0.45 kg, kept on free-range feeding in the Ankole range land, Uganda, were screened for health and nutritional status, effectively treated against helminth parasites, mated, and randomly divided into two equal groups during a 3-month preparatory phase. During the 6 months that followed, the goats in one group received a daily oral dose (50 g/goat) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), while the other group acted as the control (no PEG). The goats were monitored for faecal nematode egg counts and body weight gains, along with the quality of their diet, nematode contamination of the pasture, and the prevailing climatic factors in the area. Goats treated with PEG had significantly (p < 0.05) higher faecal helminth egg loads. The mean nematode eggs per gram of faeces (epg) of the PEG group (290 epg) was more than double that of the control group (129 epg). All the PEG-treated goats exhibited moderate to severe infections at the end of the experiment. The gain in body weight during gestation was lower (p < 0.05) in the PEG group (70.4 g per goat per day) than in the control group (91.8 g per goat per day). The PEG group lost 2.3 g per goat per day in the fifth month. PEG deactivates condensed tannins, and it was concluded that condensed tannins play a significant role in reducing the negative effects of gastrointestinal helminth burdens in the natural free-range feeding system of the Ankole range land in Uganda. Selective feeding on such range lands might expose goats to optimal concentrations of dietary condensed tannins with resultant beneficial effects.

The role of bioactive tannins in the postpartum energy retention and productive performance of goats browsed in a natural rangeland.

The role of bioactive tannins in browse in the postpartum performance of goats grazed under natural range conditions was studied using 40 yearling Mubende goats (20+/-0.32 kg). In a completely randomized design, goats of one group (n = 20) received a daily drench of 50 g per goat of polyethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight 4000 given as a condensed tannin (CT) deactivator, and goats of the other group (n = 20) acted as the control (no PEG). Mean birth weights, live weight gains, abortion and twinning rates, litter size and tissue energy retention were measured. The PEG drench resulted in lower postpartum weight gains and tissue energy retention (p < 0.05). Postpartum weekly weight loss per doe was 0.65 kg in the PEG group and 0.46 kg in the control group, while tissue energy loss was 17.7 MJ per goat in the PEG group and 10.23 MJ per goat in the control group in the first 8 weeks. Net weight gain was observed in the control group at the 11 th week but was delayed in the PEG group (15th week). The PEG group had lower birth weights and higher kids mortalities (p <0.05). Selective feeding in the Ankole rangeland exposes goats to beneficial concentrations of dietary CT with apparent cumulative effects leading to improved postpartum performance of does and kids.

The mineral scoring technique and evaluation of indigenous browse species as natural mineral phytocentres for goats in African rangelands.

The utilization and evaluation of indigenous browse species as natural mineral phytocentres for goats was examined by the combined use of mineral concentrations, mineral scores, browse accessibility and abundance in the Ankole rangeland, Uganda. The species Grewia bicolor and Carissa edulis with > 140% mineral scores and > 70% accessibility were the most valuable mineral phytocentres and were the victims of overgrazing. Acacia albida and Acacia abyssinica with > 130% mineral scores but < 30% browse accessibility were valuable for the cut-and-carry feeding system. Species mineral scores at average and maximum dietary recommendations were < 60%, highlighting the mineral insufficiency of range browse for high-performance goats. Mineral supply potential was highest (35.0%) in the genus Acacia and lowest (5.3%) in Dichrostachsys. Browse accessibility was < 35%, in 69.2% of species. Acacia hockii was the most abundant species (24.5%) but had the lowest mineral score (17.7%). Browse species (90-100%) were deficient in Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. The combined use of mineral concentrations and mineral scoring technique was superior to the use of mineral concentrations alone in defining mineral adequacy, deficiency and supply potential, making the mineral scoring technique a valuable tool in browse management.

Some factors related to sum-DDT levels in Ugandan mothers' breast milk.

A total of 143 samples of Ugandan mothers' breast milk were analysed by gas chromatography for the presence and levels of DDT residues. The relationship between the level of DDT in the milk and the mother's age, parity, dietary habits, and place of usual residence were studied. DDT levels in the milk were not significantly related to the mother's age. Mothers nursing their first child had a significantly higher mean DDT level in their milk than those nursing their second child. Furthermore, mothers who resided in the urban area had a significantly higher mean-DDT level in their milk than those who resided in the rural area. No statistically significant differences were observed in the mean levels of DDT in the milk samples of vegetarian and non-vegetarian mothers. From the present findings, it could be concluded that milk from mothers nursing the first child and residing in an urban area is a good bioindicator for assessing exposure of lactacting mothers to DDT in Uganda.

PIP: The insecticide dichlorodiphenlytrichloroethane (DDT) is lipophilic and accumulates primarily in fatty tissues in living organisms, including human breast milk. Although DDT has been banned or severely restricted in most countries, its use continues in Uganda. This study used gas chromatography to assess the presence and levels of DDT residues in the breast milk of 143 Ugandan mothers and the association between DDT levels and maternal age, place of residence, parity, and diet. Milk samples from mothers who were nursing a first child had significantly higher mean DDT levels than those nursing a second child. Significantly higher mean DDT levels were also found in women from urban compared to rural areas. There were no significant differences in mean DDT levels in the milk of vegetarian and nonvegetarian mothers and maternal age was not related to DDT levels. These findings suggest that milk from mothers nursing their first child and residing in urban areas is a good bioindicator for assessing DDT exposure of lactating mothers in Uganda.